Empress Matilda Collection

King Stephens queen petitioning to the Empress Matilda for the release of her husband, 1141 (1793). From Ashburtons History of England, by Charles Alfred Ashburton. [W. & J

The Empress Matilda refusing to release King Stephen (engraving)
665066 The Empress Matilda refusing to release King Stephen (engraving) by Rigaud, John Francis (1742-1810) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

Queen Matildas Entry to Bristol Castle, 1826 (pencil & w / c on paper)
2832198 Queen Matildas Entry to Bristol Castle, 1826 (pencil & w/c on paper) by Bird, Miss Martha (fl.1826); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; eBristol Museums

The Queen of King Stephen pleading with the Empress Matilda on behalf of her husband (engraving)
2808216 The Queen of King Stephen pleading with the Empress Matilda on behalf of her husband (engraving) by English School

King Stephens Queen petitioning to the Empress Matilda, for the release of her husband (engraving)
1107993 King Stephens Queen petitioning to the Empress Matilda, for the release of her husband (engraving) by English School

Matilda, Queen Consort of King Stephen of England, petioning the Empress Matilda for her husbands release
5233591 Matilda, Queen Consort of King Stephen of England, petioning the Empress Matilda for her husbands release from captivity, 1141 (engraving) by English School

Interview between the Empress Matilda and Queen Maud (engraving)
664501 Interview between the Empress Matilda and Queen Maud (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Interview between the Empress Matilda and Queen Maud)

Lincoln Castle taken by cunning, 1141, illustration from Hutchinson
STC363645 Lincoln Castle taken by cunning, 1141, illustration from Hutchinsons Story of the British Nation, c.1920 (litho) by Prater

Stephen taken prisoner at the Battle of Lincoln, 1141, illustration from
STC293142 Stephen taken prisoner at the Battle of Lincoln, 1141, illustration from Hutchinsons Story of the British Nation, c.1923 (litho) by Pearse

Matilda is permitted to retire from Arundel, Sussex, 1139 (1864). Matilda (1102-1167), the daughter of Henry I of England

The Queen of King Stephen, Pleading with the Empress Matilda, on behalf of Her Husband, 1838. Matilda I (1105-1152), Countess of Boulogne, was queen consort of England as the wife of King Stephen

The Lady of the English, 1141, 1926. Artist: Herbert Norris
The Lady of the English, 1141, 1926. Empress Matilda (c1102-1167), also known as the Empress Maude, was the claimant to the English throne during the civil war known as the Anarchy

Stephen, King of England, 1788. From Harrisons Edition of Rapins History of England, by Paul Rapin de Thoyras. [John Harrison, London, 1788]

Flight of Matilda from Oxford, 1142 (1789). Stephen (1096-1154), the last Norman King of England, reigned from 1135 to 1154

Meeting of Stephen and Prince Henry at Wallingford, Oxfordshire, 1153. The middle of the 12th century in England was dominated by a civil war between the rival claimants to the throne, Matilda

Flight of Matilda from Oxford, 1142. Stephen (1096-1154), the last Norman King of England, reigned from 1135 to 1154. He supported the claim to the throne of Matilda (1102-1167)

Revolt of the citizens of London against Matilda, 1141. Stephen (1096-1154), the last Norman King of England, reigned from 1135 to 1154

The Empress Matilda and the Queen of Stephen, 12th century. Stephen (1096-1154), the last Norman King of England, reigned from 1135 to 1154

King Stephen taken prisoner, 1141. Stephen (1096-1154), the last Norman King of England, reigned from 1135 to 1154. He supported the claim to the throne of Matilda (1102-1167)

The Empress Matilda refusing to release king Stephen, 1141. Artist: J Rogers
The Empress Matilda refusing to release king Stephen, 1141. Flight of Matilda from Oxford, 1142. Stephen (1096-1154), the last Norman King of England, reigned from 1135 to 1154

Flight Of The Empress Maude, 12th century, (c1850). In 1142, Maude (or Matilda), was trapped in Oxford Castle but escaped over the ice of the frozen River Thames

Emperor Henry V and Matilda of England at the Wedding Feast in Mainz on 7 January 1114, 1114. Artist: Anonymous
Emperor Henry V and Matilda of England at the Wedding Feast in Mainz on 7 January 1114, 1114. Found in the collection of the The Parker Library

Empress Matilda escaping from the besieged Oxford Castle, 1142 (c19th century). Matilda was the wife of Henry V of Germany, daughter of Henry I of England and mother of Henry II

Empress Matilda, daughter and dispossessed heiress of Henry I of England, c1860. Matilda (1102-1167) allowed by the King, Stephen, to leave Arundel Castle for Gloucester in 1139

Interview between the Empress Matilda and Queen Maud

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"Empress Matilda: A Tale of Power, Politics, and Persistence" In the tumultuous year of 1141, King Stephen's queen found herself on a desperate mission. With her husband held captive, she turned to the formidable Empress Matilda for his release. The engraving captures this poignant moment as Queen Matilda pleads with unwavering determination. However, the Empress remained resolute in her refusal to set King Stephen free. Another engraving portrays this tense encounter between two powerful women vying for control over England's destiny. Years later, in 1826, history seemed to repeat itself when Queen Matilda made a grand entry into Bristol Castle. This time it was not for pleading but perhaps seeking solace or inspiration from the castle's storied past. The struggle between these queens continued to unfold through various engravings depicting their encounters. One such illustration shows Queen Maud beseeching Empress Matilda on behalf of her imprisoned husband - a scene that encapsulates the emotional turmoil faced by those entangled in political strife. Meanwhile, Lincoln Castle became an emblematic battleground during these turbulent times. Cunning tactics led to its capture in 1141 while another illustration depicts King Stephen himself taken prisoner at the Battle of Lincoln - a turning point that would shape England's future. Yet amidst all this chaos and conflict, there were moments of respite and retreat. In 1139, Empress Matilda was granted permission to retire from Arundel in Sussex - a brief interlude before returning to face her adversaries head-on once again. To fully understand the complexities surrounding Empress Matilda's reign is also crucial to explore events preceding her ascension. The wreck of the White Ship off France's coast in 1120 claimed many lives including that of William Adelin – an event depicted by James William Edmund Doyle with haunting beauty. Empress Matilda's story is one marked by determination, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of power.